Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has signed a six month contract to join Aston Villa until the end of the season.
The former French international becomes Gerard Houllier’s first signing since arriving at Villa Park.
The 37-year-old, who has been training with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal for the past two months, will add valuable experience to a young squad.
The one-time left-wing star, now moved to the central ground, signed for Villa as a free agent after being released by Villarreal in the summer.
The world cup winner, who will wear the number eight shirt, will meet his new teammates tomorrow and hopes to make his debut for the club against Blackburn on Sunday.
Pires told AVTV: "I can't wait to play and put on that new shirt. It is very exciting.
"I am very happy to join Aston Villa because it's a big club in England.
"I am also thrilled to have the chance of working with Gerard Houllier. I know him.
“I spoke with Gerard Houllier and like me he is very happy because I need him and he needs me to play with experience because the team is young. We need a good mix.
"Now this move represents a new opportunity and a new challenge for me. I am very happy to start.
"I can't wait to put that
shirt on and play for Aston Villa. I am proud to play for Villa and to the fans, I'd like to say 'see you soon at Villa Park.”
Pires who spent six years with the Gunners and played 236 times for the North London club insisted playing in England was a big factor in signing for Houllier’s men.
He said: “For me it’s a good surprise but I’m very happy here because I like English football and it was important for me to work here again.”
Assistant manager Gary McAllister is delighted the club have captured such a decorated player and believes believes the new recruit can have positive influence on the whole squad.
He said: "He is a proven winner. It gets thrown around a lot these days when people say they are a winner but he is a genuine article.
"He's a European champion and he has won the World Cup as well. He has vast experience and was a fantastic player in the Premier League for Arsenal.
"People thought he was coming to the end of his career but he went to Villareal and done well there for several seasons.
"For all the younger players - what a tremendous addition. The younger players can only learn from watching a guy like Robert on the training field.
"He will gain respect. But I am sure Robert Pires isn't coming here just to be a player that everyone is going to stand back and admire. He will want to gain the respect of the fact that he is still competitive and still able to do a job at this level."
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| Ashley Young |
Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is set to sign for Premier League title contenders Arsenal after refusing to sign a new contract at Villa Park, according to reports.
The England international is reportedly looking to make the switch to the Emirates in the January transfer window, as reported by talkSPORT.
The 25-year-old insisted he would confer with the Midlands club regarding a new deal at the end of the season as he currently has one year left on his current contract.
However, reports suggest Arsene Wenger will snap up Young despite Villa manager Gerard Houllier’s desire to keep him.
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has hailed his side's defensive display in the 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park.
The skipper doubled the Gunners' lead after Bacary Sagna had opened the scoring. Tim Cahill sparked a late fightback with his goal one minute from time, but Arsene Wenger’s men held on to secure the victory.
Fabregas is pleased to have picked up the three points after the late scare from Everton and believes his side were solid defensively.
"It was a good performance," he told Sky Sports."Defensively we looked solid, our only regret is that last minute goal. We played very well, we were in control. We knew their game was long ball but we did well against it."
Fabregas was lucky to escape a red card after a tackle on Wolves' Stephen Ward in midweek, and there were calls for the skipper to be dismissed after a challenge with Sylvain Distin against Everton.
"Look at the replay. He kicks my ankle, he kicks me. Of course, last week I make a tackle and now everyone wants Cesc Fabregas sent off, I just play football and that’s it," the World Cup winner said.
The Arsenal captain also expressed his surprise at Sagna scoring just his second Arsenal goal, before admitting his side became nervous after Cahill’s late goal.
He said: "[It was a] great goal! I was asking for the ball but I was not too confident in him! He did very well and I think defensively we were superb.
"The second goal was an important goal early in the second half. We knew they would push hard at us and at the end they scored and we were a bit nervous."
Fabregas also added that the spirit inside the Arsenal camp is key to the club's success this season, which has seen them move up to second in the Premier League table after their win over Everton.
"We want to do well until the end, this is just one more step until the end," he said.
"It's good we're in second position, we're improving, We just need Chelsea to drop some points now."
